KENTUCKY – The Delta Regional Authority and its state and local partners are investing $1.1 million in federal and local resources aimed at Delta small business owners, entrepreneurs, families, and communities and designed to grow the region’s economy and create jobs, Delta Regional Authority Federal Co-Chairman Chris Masingill and Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear announced today.

Nine new investments coming directly to Western Kentucky, from building and repairing roadways and sewer systems to hospital upgrades and the construction of new businesses, leverage $867,003 in federal resources into $1,054,146 in total public and private investment for the Delta region, its people, and its future.

The awards are provided through the DRA States’ Economic Development Assistance Program, the agency’s main federal funding program that invests in basic public infrastructure, transportation infrastructure, workforce development, and business development and entrepreneurship projects in the 252 counties and parishes of the eight-state Delta region. DRA coordinates directly with Kentucky’s three local development districts in the region for program funding implementation.

KENTUCKY: NEW INVESTMENTS IN THE DELTA

State

# of

Projects

DRA

Resources

Leveraged

Funds

Total

Investment

Kentucky

9

$867,003

$187,143

$1,054,146

“In this time of extreme competition for jobs and business attraction, these strategic federal investments into the physical and human infrastructure of Delta communities are necessary to create economic opportunity for the hard-working people of Western Kentucky,” Chairman Masingill said.

Gov. Steve Beshear applauded DRA’s investment and affirmed his support for the projects. “The Delta Regional Authority plays an integral role in supporting projects in our western Kentucky communities that will boost both short-term and long-term economic growth and development,” Gov. Beshear said. “Thank you to Chairman Masingill and the DRA for their commitment to Kentucky and making strategic investments that will positively impact the future of our citizens and the entire region.”

“Communities need varied, well-planned investments in order to grow and thrive,” said Kentucky Department of Local Government Commissioner Tony Wilder. “These DRA investments are focused on projects that will benefit Kentucky’s infrastructure, economy, and workforce – improvements that will have a lasting impact on their communities. Thank you to the DRA for their continued support of Kentucky business, families and communities.

Trigg County Health Department Renovation, Cadiz, KY: Demolition of the more than 50 year old equipment and flooring of Trigg County Health Department; installation of new equipment, flooring, cabinets, tables, lighting, paint, and backup generator for vaccine cooler. DRA Investment: $100,000; Total Project Cost: $156,410.

Earlington Water System Improvements, Earlington, KY: Installation of valves in the City of Earlington's water system to facilitate leak detection and repairs. DRA Investment: $30,000 (Total Project Cost).

Mortons Gap System Improvements, Mortons Gap, KY: Placement of new valves and meters to enable the City to isolate sections of the water system to facilitate the location and repair of water leaks. DRA Investment: $35,000 (Total Project Cost).

The Delta Regional Authority is a federal-state partnership that is congressionally mandated to help create jobs, build communities, and improve lives through strategic investments in economic development in the 252 counties and parishes of the Delta region. The investments come through the DRA’s States Economic Development Assistance Program. Through the past twelve project cycles, the DRA has created and retained more than 17,000 jobs with 24,500 more projected. These investments have leveraged $2.7 billion in other public and private investment with DRA projects that are helping to train 26,000 for a 21st century workforce and have provided more than 25,000 families access to clean water and sewer services.